Sinn Féin Chairperson Mitchel McLaughlin yesterday accused the Ulster Unionist Party leader, David Trimble, of setting the political process in Ireland on a ``course for collapse''. In a strongly worded statement, McLaughlin said that the onus now falls on the two governments, but particularly the British Government, to move Trimble away from his current position. Free article

A leading British Intelligence officer who played a key role in the covert British Army's war against the IRA for over 20 years is being threatened with court martial if she doesn't agree to ``retire quietly''. The British military are desperately trying to ensure that details of their dirty war in Ireland remains under wraps, despite the recent inroads made by the Stevens team investigating Crown force collusion in the killing of Pat Finucane. The female Force Research Unit (FRU) operative, known only as ``Mags'', is believed to have been at the centre of many of the most controversial killings in the North. Free article

A Larne man whose family has been repeatedly targeted by loyalists was admitted to hospital last week suffering with clinical depression. Last month, John Shaw escaped death when a Protestant friend was injured by a booby-trap device planted by loyalists and believed to have been intended for John. Three years ago, the Shaw family had another lucky escape when a grenade exploded under their van. Last weekend, the family's car was set alight. Free article

Sinn Féin Chairperson Mitchel McLaughlin has welcomed the debate on the Disqualification Bill currently going through the British House of Lords. Free article

Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams has welcomed the support of an influential group of Canadians calling for the full implementation of the Patten report. Free article

While last week's bloodletting between loyalist paramilitaries in the rival UVF and UDA has abated to allow each to bury their dead, anticipation of an end to loyalist internecine violence remains premature. Free article